Sinn Féin is calling on the Environment Minister to scrap the water meters and use the resources to replace lead pipes.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said the money being wasted by Irish Water would be much better employed in replacing lethal lead piping.

He said: "If the government are serious about their concerns for people's health this is what they should be doing. There should be an audit in all local authorities to ascertain how many houses have these pipes. The planning offices should have a good idea and these should be replaced as a matter of urgency.

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"Minister Kelly needs to provide for every family that needs to replace these pipes. Many people simply cannot afford to do it themselves as they are under so much pressure already trying to make ends meet – and in many cases they were not even aware these pipes were in use in their homes."

(CD/JP)